Cashew Research Articles

The Cashew Pseudofruit (Anacardium occidentale): Composition, Processing Effects on Bioactive Compounds and Potential Benefits for Human Health.

The fruit of the cashew, a tree belonging to the family Anacardiaceae, is composed of approximately 10% nut (cashew) and 90% stalk or pseudofruit, usually discarded in situ and fermented in the soil. This review identifies cashew pseudofruit's physicochemical characteristics and bioactive compounds and their possible relationship to health benefits. Different processing techniques have been used to preserve the pseudofruit, and the effect of these techniques on its nutrients is also reviewed in this work. Cashew is a highly perishable product with moisture content above 80% w/w and 10% w/w sugars. It also has a high content of polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins and high antioxidant properties that are best preserved by nonthermal processing techniques. The pseudofruit presents the high inhibitory activity of α-amylase and lipase enzymes, has anti-inflammatory and body weight reduction properties and healing activity, and controls glucose levels, insulinemia, and insulin resistance. For all these reasons, cashews have been promoted as a propitious food/ingredient for preventive and therapeutic management of different pathologies such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension, fatty liver, and acne. Moreover, it has positive effects on the intestinal microflora, among others. This pseudofruit has a high potential for the development of functional foods.

Closed-tube saltatory rolling circle amplification assay for rapid and visual detection of allergenic cashew nut in foods

Cashew nut allergy shows an increasing prevalence along with its high consumption. Nowadays, food allergy still has no cure, and allergen avoidance is still the standard management, urging a sensitive and convenient cashew nut detection method. Herein, saltatory rolling circle amplification (SRCA), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), as well as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the Ana o 2 gene were proposed and compared. In addition, a closed-tube SRCA assay using hydroxynaphthol blue (HNB) as a color indicator (HNB-SRCA) was developed to realize visual on-site detection of cashew nut. SRCA and HNB-SRCA can detect 75.3 fg of cashew nut DNA, which is 10- and 100-times more sensitive than LAMP and PCR, respectively. SRCA and HNB-SRCA exhibited a relative sensitivity of 0.01% in a binary mixture, which is comparable to LAMP and 10-times higher than that of PCR. When combined with a rapid DNA extraction method, SRCA and HNB-SRCA performed better applicability compared to LAMP and PCR. Additionally, compared to SRCA using electrophoresis to analyze the amplification products, the visual closed-tube HNB-SRCA combined with the rapid DNA extraction protocol is a better potential cashew nut on-site detection strategy in foods.

Design of Cashew Marketing Strategy Through Evaluation of Export Potential to Enter the Global Market (Case Study of Mrs. Tini's MSMEs in Ciputat)

This study aims to identify market expansion opportunities and address the administrative barriers MSMEs Kacang Mete Bu Tini face in exporting fresh or dried shelled cashew nuts with HS Code 080132 to Malaysia and Thailand. MSMEs Kacang Mete Bu Tini encounter significant administrative obstacles due to the lack of essential export documents such as quality certificates, certificates of origin, etc. These obstacles slow the market expansion and reduce the product's competitiveness in international markets. The research conducted through Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) analysis shows that Indonesian cashew nuts have significant comparative advantages in the Malaysian and Thai markets, with RCA values reaching 3.318911 in Malaysia and 2.556656 in Thailand. An RCA value greater than one indicates a comparative advantage in both markets. Regarding competitive advantage, Malaysia holds a "Rising Star" position with an annual export market share growth of 0.281030 percent and a cashew market growth of 0.180204 percent per year. In contrast, Thailand is in a "Retreat" position with an annual export market share growth of -0.509915 percent and a cashew market growth of -0.009638 percent per year, indicating a decline in demand and less satisfactory export performance. The conclusion is that Malaysia is a more suitable export destination for Cashew Nut Bu Tini MSMEs, given the higher RCA value and more favorable market position. MSMEs Kacang Cashew Bu Tini needs to promptly complete the necessary administrative documents to enhance product competitiveness and expand export markets.

The potential of cashew nut shell waste in charcoal briquettes after producing cashew nut shell liquid through cold extraction

Cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), extracted without chemicals or high temperatures, primarily contains phenolic compounds and is used in pharmaceuticals and special polymers. This study assesses a cold extraction process for CNSL at press forces of 200, 250, and 275 kg/cm2 and holding times of 1, 2, and 5 min, achieving a maximum yield of 35.98 %, with holding time having minimal impact. The waste from cashew nut shells was carbonized to produce briquettes, enhancing their heating value. Briquettes were made from carbonized cashew nut shells and rice husks in various proportions, using cassava flour as a binder. Analysis of the briquettes' properties showed that the CNS amount significantly influenced calorific value and thermal efficiency, with rice husk charcoal mixtures improving stability and compressive strength. The recommended charcoal briquette from CNS, rice husk and cassava flour which is the ratio 7:3:1 by weight (recipe E), providing high compressive strength and calorific value similar to briquettes made solely from cashew nut shells (recipe A). This research supports converting CNS waste into industrial products and renewable energy.

Green Synthesis of MgO Nano Particle Loaded Onto Carbon for Effective Rhodamine B Dye Removal

ABSTRACTIn this study, Rhodamine B dye (RhB) is effectively removed from aqueous solutions by using nano‐MgO and nano‐MgO activated carbon as an adsorbent. First, potassium hydroxide was used in a chemical activation process to create activated carbon from the Anacardium occidentale shell, often known as the cashew nutshell. Rosa cymose extract was used in a quick precipitation process to create nano‐magnesium oxide in a sustainable way. Activated carbon composite impregnated with nano‐magnesium oxide was made using a dropwise process. The study examined the nanocomposite that removed the dye Rhodamine B from the aqueous solution. Using SEM, XRD, FTIR, and EDX, the nano‐Mgo and nano‐MgO‐AC were analyzed. Using a scanning electron microscope, an analysis was conducted on the evenly distributed accumulation of MgO nanoparticles added to the activated carbon. The capability of nano‐MgO‐activated carbon to decolorize RhB was investigated. The effects of beginning pH ranges of 2.0–9.0, initial dye concentrations of 10–40 ppm, biosorbent dosages of 0.2–1.2 g, and contact times ranging from 10 to 60 min were investigated. At pH 5, most dye was eliminated. The work has shown that RhB may be effectively removed from aqueous medium using nano‐MgO‐AC, it could potentially be used as an affordable adsorbent material. Equilibrium estimations were acknowledged strongly through Langmuir approximations with a correlation determination of 0.985.

Endophytic and epiphytic metabarcoding reveals fungal communities on cashew phyllosphere in Kenya.

Plants intimately coexist with diverse taxonomically structured microbial communities that influence host health and productivity. The coexistence of plant microbes in the phyllosphere benefits biodiversity maintenance, ecosystem function, and community stability. However, differences in community composition and network structures of phyllosphere epiphytic and endophytic fungi are widely unknown. Using Illumina Miseq sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 28S rRNA gene amplicons, we characterised the epiphytic and endophytic fungal communities associated with cashew phyllosphere (leaf, flower and fruit) from Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu counties in Kenya. The ITS and 28S rRNA gene sequences were clustered into 267 and 108 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at 97% sequence similarity for both the epiphytes and endophytes. Phylum Ascomycota was abundant followed by Basidiomycota, while class Saccharomycetes was most dominant followed by Dothideomycetes. The major non-ascomycete fungi were associated only with class Tremellales. The fungal communities detected had notable ecological functions as saprotrophs and pathotrophs in class Saccharomyectes and Dothideomycetes. The community composition of epiphytic and endophytic fungi significantly differed between the phyllosphere organs which was statistically confirmed by the Analysis of Similarity test (ANOSIM Statistic R: 0.3273, for 28S rRNA gene and ANOSIM Statistic R: 0.3034 for ITS). The network analysis revealed that epiphytic and endophytic structures were more specialized, modular and had less connectance. Our results comprehensively describe the phyllosphere cashew-associated fungal community and serve as a foundation for understanding the host-specific microbial community structures among cashew trees.

Strength and Durability Studies on Concrete using Cashew Nut Shell Ash (CNSA) waste as Supplementary Materials

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As the world population is expected to increase significantly, there is a greater need for housing and, as a result, building materials. Conventional manufacturing methods for materials such as concrete involve substantial energy usage and substantial release of carbon emissions, which contribute to environmental deterioration. This study investigates the incorporation of Cashew Nut Shell Ash (CNSA) as a partial replacement for Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) as primary cement, while CNSA formed binary blends. The study examined various water-to-binder ratios (0.55, 0.50, and 0.45) and a total binder content of 310 kg/m³, with replacement levels at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%. Compressive strength tests were performed at 2, 7, 28, and 90 days, shows a consistent increase in strength over time. Optimal CNSA content (10-30%) enhanced long-term strength due to its pozzolanic activity. Additionally, the elastic modulus was tested, indicating improved stiffness in mixes containing CNSA in comparison with the conventional concrete systems. Durability tests such as Rapid Chloride Permeability Test and carbonation depth analysis showed that CNSA addition generally decreased chloride conductivity, thereby enhancing durability. However, replacement levels (beyond 40%) exhibited diminishing returns. The results suggest that CNSA is a viable partial replacement for cement, improving concrete's workability, density, and long-term strength while enhancing durability against chloride penetration and carbonation. These findings support CNSA's potential in creating sustainable and resilient concrete systems.</span></span></p>

A miniaturized QuEChERS and UPLC–MS/MS method for the determination of mycotoxins in cashew nuts

This study aimed to develop and validate a multi-mycotoxin analysis method applied to cashew nuts by employing a miniaturized QuEChERS method followed by determination by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS). Satisfactory recoveries for the concentrations 1, 10 and 30 ng g−1, ranging from 66% (fumonisin B1) to 110% (ochratoxin A) and relative standard deviations lower than 9% (fumonisin B2) were obtained for the target compounds. Limits of quantification ranged from 0.004 ng g−1 (sterigmatocystin) to 0.59 ng g−1 (alternariol). The applicability of the analytical method was verified by analyzing 30 cashew nut samples from the city of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, southeastern Brazil. Aflatoxins M1, G2, G1, B2, B1, ochratoxin A and sterigmatocystin were detected, respectively, in 27%, 10%, 17%, 30%, 30%, 30% and 50% of the analyzed samples, at maximum concentrations of 0.56, 0.67, 1.43, 2.02, 4.93, 4.81, and 0.35 ng g−1. The maximum limit established by Brazilian legislation for aflatoxins was not exceeded by any of the analyzed samples.

Insights into the cashew production system in Guinea-Bissau: implications for agroecosystem sustainability

IntroductionWest Africa, particularly Guinea-Bissau, heavily relies on cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) production, which significantly impacts the countries’ economies. Cashew exhibits remarkable adaptability to impoverished and arid soils. Understanding producers’ socio-economic characteristics is crucial due to their potential influence on crop productivity and household income.MethodsThis study aims to characterize the socio-economic, productive, and phytosanitary aspects of cashew production in Guinea-Bissau, through 151 interviews with producers across all administrative regions of the country.ResultsOur findings reveal that cashew producers are mainly males aged 40 to 60, they typically manage plantations under 5 ha, with the smaller plantation areas located in Gabú, Cacheu, and Bolama. The age of the older trees averaged 31 years, with the highest age found in Biombo. Tree density averaged 286 trees per hectare, with higher values in Cacheu, Bafatá, and Bolama. Cashew nut yield in 2020 averaged less than 0.5 tons per hectare, with farmer-set prices generally lower than government determined prices. Oio, Tombali, and Bolama were the regions most affected by pests, while Oio and Cacheu (North) were the most affected by diseases. Top pests included termites, branch girdler, weaver ants, African grasshopper, and stem borer; while top diseases comprised gummosis, anthracnose, and dieback.DiscussionCharacterization of cashew production system is crucial at both national and regional levels to identify region-specific limitations and strengths, aiding in the formulation of tailored strategies for sustainable production. Moreover, cashew production plays a crucial role in household incomes in Guinea-Bissau, underscoring the necessity of developing integrated management strategies.

Kinetics of cashew apple drying through mechanistic models and analysis of the effects of drying conditions on the retention of bioactive compounds

AbstractGlobal cashew nut production is nearly 4 million tons per year, valued at 7 billion US dollars. Remarkably, almost the entire cashew apple crop, amounting to 20 million tons annually, goes to waste. However, the cashew apple contains valuable nutraceutical compounds, including tannins, polyphenols, and carotenoids, estimated to be worth 150 million US dollars annually. Due to the highly perishable nature of cashew apples, degradation is a significant issue. In response, the current work has established drying as an effective preservation technique for these bioactive components. The effect of drying temperature on bioactive compounds has been thoroughly investigated. The non‐random two liquid (NRTL) activity coefficient model effectively captures the thermodynamics of the drying process. To facilitate the selection and design of drying equipment, two mechanistic mass transfer models were developed. The first model employs the Maxwell‐Stefan framework to account for internal diffusion, with external mass transfer resistance appearing as a boundary condition. While this model works well for products like grapes, it proved inadequate for explaining the drying behaviour of cashew apples. Consequently, a second model was developed, postulating rapid moisture transport by capillary action within the cashew apple. This model effectively captures the effects of a wide range of operating conditions, using only external mass transfer resistance as the tuneable kinetic parameter. This mechanistic model is more suitable for dryer design compared to conventional phenomenological models like the logarithmic model and the two‐term exponential model.

Influence of cashew nut oil on the oxidative and thermal stability of para nut (Bertholletia excelsa) biodiesel

Brazil is a country with a high potential to produce renewable energy. The adequacy of the oily matter in transesterification contributes significantly to reduction and/or elimination of inconvenient substances contained in certain vegetable oils. It thus improves the quality and yield of biodiesel. This work aimed to investigate the oxidation and storage capacity of Para nut Biodiesel, properties that limit the use of this energy input. The thermogravimetric profile revealed that the Cashew nut liquid has thermal stability of around 237°C and oxidative resistance of 190°C. On the other hand, Para Nut Biodiesel showed considerable thermal and oxidation stability at approximately 200°C. Besides being an alternative to energy self-sufficiency, the processing of vegetable oils in Brazil can also generate employment and income opportunities and contribute to environmental preservation.

Replacing oxygen evolution reaction in water splitting process by electrochemical energy-efficient production of high-added value chemicals with co-generation of green hydrogen

The utilization of biomass represents a promising alternative to the use of fossil fuels in facing both the energy problem and environmental pollution. Using the electrochemical oxidation of organic pollutants instead of the oxygen evolution reaction at the anode and the hydrogen evolution reaction at the cathode of an electrolyzer, it is possible to make high-value chemicals, break down pollutants, and produce hydrogen efficiently at the same time. In this study, the scale-up of the electrochemical treatment was investigated by treating technical cashew nutshell liquid effluent using a photovoltaic-driven electrochemical reactor with two compartments and equipped with a boron-doped diamond electrode as the anode and a Ni stainless-steel mesh as the cathode. Tests were carried out varying the anode current densities (40, 70, and 100 mA cm-2), the nature of the electrolyte solution (NaOH and Na2SO4), and the concentration of technical cashew nutshell liquid (0.01, 0.05, or 0.10 %). The results clearly shown that it is possible to successfully scale up a divided electrochemical reactor (passing from the batch approach of previous works to the flow approach of this study), favoring a selective accumulation of acetate (600 mg L-1) in the anodic compartment. In addition, the simultaneous production of green hydrogen (0.182 L h-1) was achieved when electrolyzing a biomass effluent containing 0.10 % technical cashew nutshell liquid in 1 mol L-1 NaOH and applying a current density of 40 mA cm-2. In conclusion, the sustainable electrochemical transformation of the waste (from technical cashew nutshell liquid into valuable products and energy carriers) was successfully achieved. We believe that the results will help the energy transition towards zero carbon emission and a cost-effective production of hydrogen through an integrated-hybrid process.

Microscopic and histochemical characterization applied to quality control of Anacardium occidentale: Anacardium occidentale microanalyses

Anacardium occidentale belongs to the Anacardiaceae family and is popularly known as cashew. It is provided with several pharmacological activities, described in the National List of Medicinal Plants of Interest to the Unified Health System. Its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, molluscicidal, and larvicidal activities stand out. As it is a plant of great economic and medicinal importance, it is necessary to characterize the pharmacobotanical profile of this species. Thus, the present work aims to carry out a microscopic and histochemical characterization applied to the quality control of A. occidentale. Cross-sections of the stem, petiole and leaf blade were performed, as well as longitudinal sections of the stem and paradermal sections of the leaf blade. Anatomical studies were performed under light, polarization and scanning electron microscopy. For histochemical analysis, different reagents were used according to the metabolite under investigation. Among the anatomical structures that provide a detailed diagnosis of the studied parts of this species, the presence of resin ducts, druse crystals, glandular trichomes, paracytic stomata, and isobilateral mesophyll stand out. Histochemistry identified the location of different substances, such as starch, phenolic compounds, lipophilic compounds, lignin, essential oils, tannins, triterpenes, steroids, and calcium oxalate crystals in the leaf blade. Through the analysis of ultra-anatomical images by SEM-EDS, it was also possible to verify that the crystals found in the leaf blade are calcium oxalate. Its elemental composition was shown in detail. In view of the results, the importance of this study is justified because important characteristics of the anatomical structure of the stem and leaves of this medicinal species of wide distribution in Brazil are now identified. They are essential parameters for the determination of botanical authenticity.

A Comparative Study of Dairy and Non-Dairy Milk Types: Development and Characterization of Customized Plant-Based Milk Options.

Plant-based milk has gained considerable attention; however, its high nutritional variation highlights the need for improved formulation designs to enhance its quality. This study aimed to nutritionally compare cow milk with plant-based milk produced from hazelnuts (H), Brazil nuts (BN), cashew nuts (CN), soybeans (S), and sunflower seeds (SS), and to perform physicochemical and technological characterization. The plant-based milk produced with isolated grains showed a nutritional composition inferior to that of cow milk in almost all evaluated parameters, protein content (up to 1.1 g 100 g-1), lipids (up to 2.7 g 100 g-1), color parameters, minerals, and especially calcium (up to 62.4 mg L-1), which were originally high in cow milk (up to 1030 mg L-1). However, the plant-based milk designed using a blend composition was able to promote nutritional enhancement in terms of minerals, especially iron (Fe) and magnesium (Mg), high-quality lipids (up to 3.6 g 100 g-1), and carbohydrates (3.4 g 100 g-1 using CN, BN, and S). The protein content was 1.3% compared to 5.7 in cow milk, and the caloric value of plant-based milk remained 32.8 at 52.1 kcal, similar to cow milk. Satisfactory aspects were observed regarding the shelf life, especially related to microbiological stability during the 11 d of storage at 4 °C. For the designed plant-based milk to be equivalent to cow milk, further exploration for optimizing the blends used to achieve better combinations is required. Furthermore, analyzing possible fortification and preservation methods to increase shelf life and meet the nutritional and sensory needs of the public would be interesting.

Production of a high-energy solid biofuel from biochar produced from cashew nut shells

The aim of the study is to produce a solid biofuel of high physico-mechanical and energetic quality from heat-treated cashew nut shells. Raw cashew nut shells are heat treated at 300 °C for 120 min at a heating rate of 1 °C/s. The resulting biochar is milled to 74 μm. Sugar cane molasses was incorporated into the biochar powder at a rate of 10% without the addition of water. The mass yields of solid, liquid and gaseous products obtained were 46.5%, 27.6% and 25.9% respectively. The solid biofuel produced has slightly improved physicochemical and energy properties over biochar, except ash and moisture content. Thus, the addition of binder and densification increased the ash and moisture content of the solid biofuel compared to the biochar obtained. With a higher calorific value of 33.02 MJ/kg, the solid biofuel has high water resistance and meets the quality requirements of class A1 of the NF EN ISO 17225-6 standard in terms of density and mechanical strength. Solid biofuel is ideal for use in households and biomass power stations.

Exploiting tropical fruit processing coproducts as circular resources to promote the growth and maintain the culturability and functionality of probiotic lactobacilli

This study evaluated the use of acerola (Malpighia glabra L., CACE), cashew (Anacardium occidentale L., CCAS), and guava (Psidium guayaba L., CGUA) fruit processing coproducts as substrates to promote the growth, metabolite production, and maintenance of the viability/metabolic activity of the probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-05 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei L-10 during cultivation, freeze-drying, storage, and exposure to simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Probiotic lactobacilli presented high viable counts (≥8.8 log colony-forming units (CFU)/mL) and a short lag phase during 24 h of cultivation in CACE, CCAS, and CGUA. Cultivation of probiotic lactobacilli in fruit coproducts promoted sugar consumption, medium acidification, and production of organic acids over time, besides increasing the of several phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Probiotic lactobacilli cultivated in fruit coproducts had increased survival percentages after freeze-drying and during 120 days of refrigerated storage. Moreover, probiotic lactobacilli cultivated and freeze-dried in fruit coproducts had larger subpopulations of live and metabolically active cells when exposed to simulated gastrointestinal digestion. The results showed that fruit coproducts not only improved the growth and helped to maintain the viability and metabolic activity of probiotic strains but also enriched the final fermented products with bioactive compounds, being an innovative circular strategy for producing high-quality probiotic cultures.

Epidemiology of the Major Fungal Diseases of Cashew Tree (Anacardium occidentale L.) in Togo

Epidemiology of the Major Fungal Diseases of Cashew Tree (Anacardium occidentale L.) in Togo

Exploring Cashew Nuts Consumption in Poland. Prospects for Tanzania

Exploring Cashew Nuts Consumption in Poland. Prospects for Tanzania

Blood profile and liver histopathological analysis of broiler chickens fed dried cashew apples (Anacardium occidentale L.)

This study utilized a total of 210 one-day-old chicks to evaluate the blood profile and liver histopathology of Ross 308 broiler chickens fed diets containing Dried Cashew Apples (DCA). The chicks were allocated into seven treatment groups, each consisting of three replicates of 10 birds. The experimental design used a (2 x 3) +1 augmented factorial in a completely randomized arrangement. Diet 1 was the control (maize-soybean meal-based), while diets 2, 3, and 4 contained 10%, 20%, and 30% DCA without enzyme supplementation. Diets 5, 6, and 7 contained 10%, 20%, and 30% DCA with exogenous microbial enzyme supplementation. Data on haematological indices, serum biochemical indices, and liver histology were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 25, with means separated by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test of the same statistical package at p < 0.05. The results indicated that DCA inclusion, with or without enzymes, significantly influenced all haematological parameters except MCV, showing lower PCV, Hb concentration, and RBC counts in DCA groups compared to the control. Enzyme supplementation at 20% DCA increased PCV, while at 10% and 30% DCA, it decreased Hb concentrations and increased WBC counts at 30% DCA, with varying effects on neutrophils and lymphocytes. Serum biochemistry showed that DCA inclusion affected all parameters except AST, with the highest ALT values in birds on 10% DCA without enzymes and the lowest in the control group. Enzyme supplementation significantly influenced AST, ALT, TP, globulin, albumin, urea, and creatinine levels, particularly at 20% DCA. Liver histology showed no lesions in control birds but varying degrees of necrosis, inflammation, atrophy, and congestion in DCA-fed birds, worsening with higher DCA and enzyme levels. In conclusion, broilers can tolerate 10% DCA in their diet, but higher levels lead to physiological stress, necessitating careful consideration of DCA inclusion levels to maintain bird health and welfare.

Nutritional and microbial profiles of ripened plant-based cheese analogs collected from the European market

Plant-based cheese analogs have emerged as a novel global market trend driven by sustainability concerns for our planet. This study examines eleven soft ripened plant-based cheese analogs produced in Europe, primarily with bloomy rinds and cashew nuts as the main ingredient. First, we focused on exploring the macronutrients and salt content stated on the labels, as well a detailed fatty acid analysis of the samples. Compared to dairy cheeses, plant-based cheeses share similarities in lipid content, but their fatty acid profiles diverge significantly, with higher ratio of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic acids. We also investigated the microbiota of these analog products, employing a culture-dependent and -independent approaches. We identified a variety of microorganisms in the plant-based cheeses, with Lactococcus lactis and Leuconostoc mesenteroides being the dominant bacterial species, and Geotrichum candidum and Penicillium camemberti the dominant fungal species. Most of the species characterized are similar to those present in dairy cheeses, suggesting that they have been inoculated as culture starters to contribute to the sensorial acceptance of plant-based cheeses. However, we also identify several species that are possibly intrinsic to plant matrices or originate from the production environment, such as Pediococcus pentosaceus and Enterococcus spp. This coexistence of typical dairy-associated organisms with plant associated species highlights the potential microbial dynamics inherent in the production of plant-based cheese. These findings will contribute to a better understanding of plant-based cheese alternatives, enable the development of sustainable products, and pave the way for future research exploring the use of plant-based substrates in the production of cheese analogues.